Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Flip Flop Party That Didn't Flop

I've been meaning to write this post for awhile, and just plain forgot about it. But summer is drawing to a close, and I thought it would be fun to share the ideas in case you want to throw your own version of this Flip Flop Party.

My friend Shawna and I are leading a group of ladies within our MOPS group this year. We're basically in charge of making sure the girls who head up each table at the meetings are making each group member feel welcome, encouraged, and loved on. Shawna and I are Social Mavens, if you will. I know that will come as a shock to many of you.

We planned our first team social event for July and thought what better way to encourage our girls to "put their best foot forward" than to throw an Ice Cream Social with a Flip Flop theme?

We started our planning by purchasing a bunch of white flip flops at Old Navy and attempting a late night decorating session. They turned out great, but unfortunately the "diamonds" all fell off so people were eventually left with plain white flops. Great.

But they looked super cute in my basket with a little card (Some "Sole" Support for Our "Soul" Sisters) and a flip flop-shaped sucker (from The Dollar Tree!). I was inspired by Poca Cosas.

The party was the easy part. We provided ice cream, drinks, paper products, and brownies. The girls each brought their favorite toppings. I found some cute flip flop products at The Dollar Tree and the party store. I soooo wanted to buy flip flop shaped lights on a string, but they were too pricey.

We didn't get fancy at all, and no one cared. It was just nice to be able to chat and devour delicious ice cream sundaes.

Why do people always congregate in the kitchen when there are comfy chairs awaiting elsewhere?

{Have you had a fun, but easy to put together get-together this summer?}

I have a neat Giveaway up tomorrow from The Cat's Paw (think vintage buttons and fabric!) and I hope you'll come back on Friday as well and link up your favorite post of the week for Weekend Bloggy Reading.

Ha! So true the kitchen is always a hub at gatherings! I love this party. Our SS teachers at our old church used to host an ice cream social each July. It was a simple evening but so much fun. Our SS teacher was a connoisseur of ice cream. He seriously had a drawer dedicated to ice cream scoops and he's host a vote for the best vanilla competition each year out of three choices. I think simple gatherings are the best!

I love your saying on the card with the flips, too cute! Looks like all the details were a hit and yes the kitchen will always be the place no matter how big it is to hang out. I think it just makes people more comfortable!

A great party idea! We don't do flip-flops around here, I'm afraid. I think we're all averse to having things between our toes. But I have a friend who's a flip-flop fanatic, so I need to show her this post! :)

How cute! We are definitely making sure everyone will feel more welcome this year at MOPS. We are appointing people that are not on the steering team to keep an eye out for people who may feel a little left out. I love that you have a team for this!

I picked the wrong year to be on steering. I should have been a table leader this year :( I wanted a Bible Study and a chance to gain closer relationships with other women and that is exactly what you are giving them this year! Is it too late to change my mind? :) LOL! Great job! I LOVE your theme, sign, favors, tableware, etc.

Aw! That looks like such a sweet little party. How nice of you and Shawna!

So, believe it or not, I had never heard of MOPS until your blog, and another lady's blog I was reading the other day. I'm really thinking about joining one. When I checked them out online, it turned out there's one like a mile down the road from me.

My ladies bible study ended because all of the girls weren't able to keep coming during the fall (full-time jobs, kid's sports, college, one's about to be a newlywed and planning her wedding, etc.) Anyway, I just reeally miss it!! I loved the christian fellowship, support, and friendship with the other ladies/moms. So, what do you think? You think I should join MOPS?

This is Me

I'm a stay-at-home mom of three kids, a fluffy Pomeranian, and a rambunctious German Shepherd puppy. Happily married to T. We live in Virginia, but I secretly dream of what it would be like to have a place in NYC to escape to for random girls' shopping weekends. Target is my home away from home. I stay sane by doing creative projects around my home and taking lots of pictures. Stick around for realistic inspiration...on a budget!

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